2026 Life Logs, Day 152: A Little Joy on June 1
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Weather: Mostly Sunny, Chilly AM; High Temp 60, Low 43 degrees F
Location: At Home with My Shadow, Falmouth, MA
I am taking a huge chance announcing joy on June 1 because the reason for my joy today is not really a done deal. But joy is the only way I can describe how I felt after a two-and-a-half-hour visit at a memory care facility today—not something I ever expected to feel in that setting. If you have been following these logs, you know I am searching for a place that better fits my sister Patsy’s needs as her memory issues worsen. I thought I had found it at Heritage here in Falmouth. The disappointment I felt on Friday when they told me that they could not take her was replaced by joy today when I visited a place that is memory care only. After meeting my sister on FaceTime, Heritage recommended Bridges by Epoch for Patsy. So, I spent my entire day touring and learning about this place.
The goal of Bridges is not just to care for people with memory issues, but to bring some joy back into their lives. The building was designed for people with dementia, down to every little detail. One example is that the wall behind the toilet in each bathroom is painted a dark color so that it is hard to miss the white toilet! I don’t know who thinks of things like this, but someone did a good job when designing Bridges by Epoch. And they have a room that will be available in a few days, but right now the resident is still living in it. He was involved in an activity when I arrived, so the woman giving me the tour contacted his family to get permission for me to go in and see the room. It has a beautiful view of the enclosed garden area which is lovely. By the way, the circular pathway in the garden has solar powered objects that look like rocks but that are really speakers for playing music while the residents are outside.
I still need to fill out a huge packet of forms describing Patsy’s life history and Bridges still needs to do a FaceTime interview with her. I have reserved the room until these things can be done. If all goes well, we can make the move before the end of the month. It is expensive, but not really much more than we pay now with private care. And I really felt like it is a place where Patsy could be content and maybe even feel a little joy.
